The process of learning is very unique to each of us. While we may all use the technique of metacognition, it is important to understand what it means so that we can use it as an effective tool to modify our own learning behavior. Many people think of metacognition as a process of thinking about thinking which may not be an accurate way of describing or understanding the process. Actively monitoring one’s own learning and making changes to ones own learning behavior and strategies is a large part of building the skill of metacognition. Therefore, Metacognition is when we plan, monitor, evaluate and make changes to our learning style.

Metacognition refers to what learners know about learning and what do learners do about learning. Knowing about their learning is the knowledge that learners have about their learning.

‘I cant remember definitions’ – cognitive ability

I cannot answer this question because I am not clear about the concepts that I learnt in class. – Understanding their limitation

I will have to re-read this chapter to understand this better- learner’s knowledge of different strategies that she can use.

Metacognitive regulation on the other hand refers to what the learners intend to do about learning. It is how they intend to control their cognitive processes.

The process is cyclic and can be described as: Planning, Monitoring, Evaluation.

The Process

Planning: Learners set learning goals. They use reflected questions such as, ‘How will I learn this?’, ‘What am I being asked to do?’

Monitoring: They continue to reflect and monitor their progress. ‘Is this strategy of learning working for me?’, ‘Should I try something different?’, ‘How can I be sure that I am preparing well?’

Evaluation: They determine the success of their strategy by asking themselves; ‘Did I achieve what I wanted to?’, ‘What went well?’, ‘What could I have done better?’

The key concept underpinning Metacognition is, developing the art of reflection. Reflecting at each stage helps in course correction and understanding oneself.

“Too often, we teach students what to think but not how to think.”- OECD Insights (2014)

The Theory

Lev Vygotsky (1896-1934) developed the idea of the Zone of Proximal Development. It is the zone were the a teacher or an adult, who is the More Knowledgeable Other , helps the learner achieve the learning outcomes. The teacher takes the responsibility of setting goals, monitoring them and supporting the students to take a more active role in their own learning. Gradually, the responsibility of these cognitive processes is given to the learner thereby building student agency.

David Perkins (1992) defined four levels of metacognitive learners which provides a good framework for teachers:

Tactic learners: They understand metocognitive knowledge but do not engage in any strategy to engage and enhance their learning.

Aware learners: They engage with some strategies but it is not deliberate thinking. More serendipitous in nature.

Strategic learners: These learners know and apply strategies that help them learn. They organize their thinking by classifying, planning, problem solving etc.

Reflective learners: They are strategic in thinking and reflective in their learning. They reflect on their thinking, strategies adopted, learning, result and continue to revise and make them more specific to enhance their learning, showcasing spiral learning.

Metacognition Strategies

Exam wrappers

Once an assignment is returned to the learners, what they are keen to see is the grade awarded to them. There is no active learning if they do not engage in reflective practice. Exam wrapper is a technique when used by teachers, engages the student in thinking and reflecting on their learning. These examples of exam wrapper worksheets can be adapted by teachers to support the learning process of their learners.

Reciprocal teaching

This strategy (Pelincsar and Brown 1984) works well for students who are more auditory learners and specifically for reading comprehension exercises. The model supports the use of four key strategies:

questioning

clarifying

summarising

predicting

Teaching their peers or juniors, or modeling teaching is a good strategy for learning new concepts.

Thinking journals

Thinking journal is a powerful active learning tool where they can reflect on their thinking. While learners are mostly encouraged to read, it is important that they are also encouraged to write. Journal writing process encourages learners to question, connect ideas, and explore learning. Based on their individual choice, the learners can decide to maintain an analogue or digital journal.

Reflective prompts

Learners are given a prompt at the end of class and are asked to write a ‘minute-paper’ on an index card. This allows them to think and express their ideas. This engagement helps them understand what they have learnt, what they still need to learn and possibly how they will learn. A KWL chart can be a good starting point. The KWL chart can also be created on a class padlet wall that allows learners to post their thinking and support their peers in developing their understanding of concepts. This activity can link up well with reciprocal teaching.

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Published by Sapna Yadav

Sapna Yadav has extensive experience of over 20 years of facilitating students unleash their academic potential. Through her professional career she has held leadership roles in International Baccalaureate (IB), Cambridge International Examinations (CIE IGCSE) and the National Curriculum (CBSE) schools. Sapna, is part of the coveted IB Educated Network (IBEN) and works as an IB consultant to schools that are in the candidacy phase for the IB programme, she is a workshop leader and an examiner for IB extended essay, theory of knowledge (TOK) and biology.
At Samaskaara, she channels her experience to provide counseling and coaching to students that is customized to the individual; equipping them with 21st century skills and mentoring them to develop their profile to allow them the freedom to plan their academic and personal growth.
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